EXT. RUCKER PARK - MOMENTS LATER
Hans, wearing sunglasses, sits at the edge of the court with
Priest and Cheryl. Playing on the court are Bones, Pablo,
and ROBBIE (18), a taller, more athletic Pablo.
Pablo looks toward Robbie and no-look passes to Bones.
Bones crosses over, shaking a defender.
Bones takes a long jumper, swishing it through the net.
BONES
Can't beat Bones and the brothers.
Pablo and Robbie point to one another.
Hans looks scared, but Priest glares at the court as he hangs
up his cellphone.
PRIEST
Jamal's out, but Cheryl can take
his place.
Priest stands and paces down the sideline.
Bones fakes out a defender with a shake-and-bake move. The
defender falls to the ground.
DJ (V.O.)
(in the distance)
Oh man!
Hans' jaw drops.
Cheryl sits beside Hans.
CHERYL
Don't worry. If Priest respects
your game, you can play. He hardly
plays with anyone.
Hans seems surprised.
HANS
Respect.
CHERYL
Yeah, sometimes it's nice. Sure
better out here than work.
HANS
Yes. Work...
Hans looks like he's thinking.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE - DAY
Children are gathered in front of the stage. A banner reads,
"Zoo Party."
ANNOUNCER
And now, your new friend, Randy the
Rhino.
A man in a giant Rhino costume jumps onto stage.
Off stage, Marty smiles and points at Randy the Rhino.
MARTY
Go get 'em, baby.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - DAY
Hans and Cheryl as before.
Hans sighs.
CHERYL
I'm sure glad to be out of the
office.
A small hand taps Hans on the knee.
Hans turns to see Skittles smiling at him. Hans bends down
to Skittles' level.
HANS
Well, hello there.
Skittles touches Hans' sunglasses.
HANS
Here, try them on.
Hans places the sunglasses onto Skittles' face. Skittles
smiles.
CHERYL
Looks like you've got a fan here.
Skittles stands proudly as she holds the sunglasses on her
face.
HANS
She is a good kid.
CHERYL
More than that. She's good luck.
Cheryl smiles at Hans.
MONTAGE - RUCKER PARK - DAY
Hans dribbles the ball up the court. Cheryl and Priest move
around in the frontcourt.
Hans takes a shot, swishing it through the hoop.
Priest jumps and pulls down a rebound with authority.
DJ
Priest wins again.
Pablo dribbles into the lane. Pablo passes between his legs
to Bones.
Bones takes a shot, swishing it through the rim.
BONES
I can do that all day.
Cheryl bounces the ball to Hans. Hans fakes a shot, drawing
the defense, and passes to Priest.
Priest turns and slams the ball through the rim.
PRIEST
Yeah!
Priest thumps his chest.
Bones takes a shot and hits it.
Defenders slump their heads.
Priest crashes through defenders and banks in a layup.
Defenders slump their heads.
Hans takes a shot. Hans holds his follow-through and watches
the ball go through the hoop.
The crowd cheers. Skittles, wearing the sunglasses, jumps
around in front of a screaming crowd.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - NIGHT
Priest, Hans, and Cheryl face off against Bones, Pablo, and
Robbie.
DJ (V.O.)
And now it's time for the final.
We got the High School City Champs
against the old school master, the
women's champ, and some white boy.
PRIEST
You'll know his name soon.
Cheryl dribbles the ball up the court.
Cheryl passes to Hans. Pablo guards Hans, but Hans towers
over Pablo.
Hans shoots a long jumper and hits nothing but net.
The crowd cheers.
DJ
Whoa! White boy can shoot!
Pablo dribbles the ball.
Pablo passes to Robbie, who posts up against Hans. Hans
reaches around Robbie and bats the pass away. Priest grabs
the loose ball.
DJ
Whoa! Hey, white boy, what's your
name?
Hans runs past DJ.
HANS
Hans.
DJ
Check your wallets, ladies and
gentlemen, because Mr. Hans is a
thief!
The crowd roars.
Hans smiles.
Bones grits his teeth.
MONTAGE - RUCKER PARK - NIGHT
Bones takes a shot, banking it into the net.
Bones takes a fall-away jumper - swish.
Bones does a stutter step, losing Priest. Bones darts into
the lane and hits a runner.
Pablo fakes a pass, causing Hans to step to the side. Pablo
bounces the ball to Bones. Bones takes the ball, runs
through the lane, and dunks the ball.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - NIGHT
Hans stands behind the baseline with his hands on his knees.
Priest and Cheryl move to Hans.
HANS
Has he missed a shot?
PRIEST
No. But what, you thought this was
gonna be easy?
Cheryl dribbles the ball up the court.
Hans runs past Priest, using Priest as a screen. Pablo bumps
and bounces off Priest.
Hans catches a pass from Cheryl and does a catch-and-shoot.
The ball swishes through the net.
Hans points at Bones.
HANS
You are not the only shooter here.
The crowd erupts.
Bones smirks at Hans.
MONTAGE: RUCKER PARK - NIGHT
Hans hits a shot behind Priest's screen.
PABLO
Someone D that guy up!
Hans and Priest slap hi-fives.
Bones spins in the lane, hitting a layup.
Hans passes to Cheryl. Cheryl shoots and hits a jumper.
Hans points to the crowd. The crowd cheers.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - NIGHT
DJ stands next to the scoreboard, which reads, "20 - 20."
DJ
Have we got a game here, or what?
Pablo drips sweat on the court as he dribbles up the ball.
Hans and Priest appear tired as the move to defend.
Bones runs a curl around the key. Hans follows Bones.
Bones turns and hangs in the air. Hans jumps right in Bones'
face.
Bones shoots, and Hans gets a piece of the ball.
The ball banks off the backboards, then off the rim, then
bounces around before falling through the hoop.
Hans hangs his head.
CHERYL
Don't quit now. They gotta win by
two. Let's do this.
Cheryl dribbles the ball up the court as Priest and Hans run
ahead of her.
Priest posts up against Robbie.
Cheryl bounces the ball to Priest, but Pablo cuts in on a
double team and knocks the ball away.
The ball bounces to Hans, who is now unguarded.
Hans jumps and takes a long jumper.
The ball flies through the air.
The ball hits the back of the iron and flies into the back
court.
The ball flies to Bones, who takes off running down the
court.
Hans looks on in horror.
Bones runs away from Cheryl and lays the ball into the hoop.
There is the sound of a buzzer.
The crowd cheers.
BONES
Yeah baby!
Bones points to the crowd as Pablo and others mob him.
Priest and Cheryl hang their heads.
Hans hangs his head.
A small hand tugs at Hans' jersey.
Hans looks down at Skittles, who tugs on his jersey.
Skittles holds out Hans' sunglasses, offering them to him.
Hans smiles and takes the glasses.
Skittles smiles and jumps up and down.
Bones pushes through the players on the court and runs to
Hans.
BONES
Let's hear it for my man here!
Hans looks around confused as the crowd cheers.
HANS
But, I lost.
BONES
Boy, I had the day of my life. I
didn't miss a shot as still, we
barely beat you. Now, put on those
shades and don't you even hang your
head.
Hans puts on his sunglasses.
Hans stands tall as the crowd cheers.
The three old men sit in the stands.
LARRY
Now there's a player.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - DAY
The sun is rising. Hans walks up to Priest, Jerry, and
Cheryl. Behind them, people put up a sign reading, "Goat
Classic 3 on 3 Streetball."
Hans glares at the sign.
PRIEST
You ready to play?
HANS
I am ready to win. We are better
this year.
On the court, Pablo throws an alley-oop pass to Bunyan.
Bunyan slams the ball with authority.
PABLO
Yeah!
Priest and Hans exhale.
AL (V.O.)
The battle for respect is a
constant struggle. If you're not
moving forward, your opponents pass
you by.
Bunyan and Pablo bump forearms.
Priest and Hans look worried.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Playaz - Hans - Act 2
EXT. THE CAGE - DAY
Hans, dressed in a slick t-shirt and shorts, holds his
cellphone to his ear. Players, including Priest and Jamal,
play on the court.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, baby, those zoo guys won't
hold out forever. Listen to me,
baby, and laugh all the way to the
bank.
Hans sighs.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Whoa, hang on...
Hans hangs up his cellphone.
Hans, grits his teeth and enters The Cage.
Priest turns to Hans.
PRIEST
Hey, Hans, big white boy. Welcome
back.
Jamal and other players huddle behind Priest.
JAMAL
That guy hit the shot? He's a big
boy.
Hans walks up to Priest.
HANS
I am ready to play.
Priest smiles.
EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Jamal dribbles the ball up the court as players, including,
Priest and Hans, run about.
Priest posts up with Hans on the wing.
Jamal passes to Hans, who is defended by a defender.
PRIEST
Yo, I'm open.
Hans fakes a pass to Priest, causing the defender to jump
towards Priest.
Hans takes a jump shot. The ball swishes through the net.
Hans nods and he backpedals down the court.
EXT. THE CAGE - DAY
Hans holds the ball at the top of the key. Priest wrestles
for position in the key. Defender #1 stands directly in
front of Hans.
DEFENDER #1
No more, white boy.
Hans takes a quick dribble and Defender #1 follows him.
Hans bounces the ball between Defender #1's legs. The ball
bounces to Priest.
Priest turns and knocks a defender to the ground. Priest
lays the ball in off the backboard.
PRIEST
And that's game.
The defenders shake their heads.
PRIEST
Good game, Hans.
The defenders walk up to Hans.
DEFENDER #1
Good game, white boy. Stick
around, I want you on my team.
HANS
Haha, thank you. I am glad to be
here.
There is the sound of a cellphone.
Hans runs to the sideline and picks up his cellphone. The
display reads, "Marty."
PRIEST
Yo, Hans, we got another game.
Hans looks towards Priest and pauses.
Hans pushes a button on his cellphone. The sound of the
cellphone disappears.
Hans tosses the cellphone aside and jogs onto the court.
EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Hans catches a pass as players run about.
Hans fakes a shot, causing the defender to jump.
Hans dribbles around the defender and towards the basket.
The defenders swarm towards Hans.
Defenders jump towards Hans.
Hans jumps into a defender. Hans bounces off the defender
and floats in the air.
Hans shoots the ball and banks it into the basket.
Priest walks up to Hans and raises his forearm.
Hans pauses for a second.
Hans raises his forearm. Priest bumps forearms with Hans and
smiles.
PRIEST
There we go.
Priest and Jamal jog down the court. Priest and Jamal nod to
one another.
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Hans leans against the wall with his hands on his knees.
Jamal and other players exit The Cage.
Priest walks up to Hans.
PRIEST
They really teach you how to play
over in Germany.
HANS
Yes, but I came here to pursue a
dream.
PRIEST
Dreams are nice, but I'll take some
real ball. You game for some real
competition?
Hans looks up with an exhausted look.
PRIEST
Haha, not now, Saturday. There's a
big tournament up at Rucker. With
you on my team, we could win the
whole thing.
HANS
I don't know...
PRIEST
Come on, you do this and the whole
town will respect you.
Hans' eyes light up.
HANS
Ok, then, I'll be there.
PRIEST
That's what I like to hear.
Priest moves toward the gate.
PRIEST
Bring your A-game. Those guys at
Rucker can play.
Hans stands up and smiles.
Hans notices his cell phone on the ground out of the corner
of his eye.
Hans picks up his cell phone. It reads, "5 new messages."
Hans holds his cellphone to his ear and strolls down the
street.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
First new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hey, Hans - baby, call me back.
Hans walks past a poster featuring a man rolling his eyes.
There is a beep.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
Second new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hey, Hans, you need to call me.
There is a beep.
Hans walks past a poster advertising a horror movie, with a
frightened face.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
Third new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, seriously, you're going to
lose some good work if you don't
call me. Now think about it. What
do you really want to be doing?
Hans stops next to a poster advertising, "Zoo Party." Hans
turns and sees a poster advertising basketball shoes.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - DAY
Hans, wearing sunglasses, walks up to Priest outside the
park.
HANS
So, what is this little tournament?
PRIEST
Little?
Priest leads Hans into the park.
The area is filled with people, some dressed to play ball,
many just there to watch. Players run about on the court. A
banner reads, "Goat Classic 3 on 3 Streetball."
Priest points.
PRIEST
Welcome to Rucker.
Hans looks around in awe.
Hans, dressed in a slick t-shirt and shorts, holds his
cellphone to his ear. Players, including Priest and Jamal,
play on the court.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, baby, those zoo guys won't
hold out forever. Listen to me,
baby, and laugh all the way to the
bank.
Hans sighs.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Whoa, hang on...
Hans hangs up his cellphone.
Hans, grits his teeth and enters The Cage.
Priest turns to Hans.
PRIEST
Hey, Hans, big white boy. Welcome
back.
Jamal and other players huddle behind Priest.
JAMAL
That guy hit the shot? He's a big
boy.
Hans walks up to Priest.
HANS
I am ready to play.
Priest smiles.
EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Jamal dribbles the ball up the court as players, including,
Priest and Hans, run about.
Priest posts up with Hans on the wing.
Jamal passes to Hans, who is defended by a defender.
PRIEST
Yo, I'm open.
Hans fakes a pass to Priest, causing the defender to jump
towards Priest.
Hans takes a jump shot. The ball swishes through the net.
Hans nods and he backpedals down the court.
EXT. THE CAGE - DAY
Hans holds the ball at the top of the key. Priest wrestles
for position in the key. Defender #1 stands directly in
front of Hans.
DEFENDER #1
No more, white boy.
Hans takes a quick dribble and Defender #1 follows him.
Hans bounces the ball between Defender #1's legs. The ball
bounces to Priest.
Priest turns and knocks a defender to the ground. Priest
lays the ball in off the backboard.
PRIEST
And that's game.
The defenders shake their heads.
PRIEST
Good game, Hans.
The defenders walk up to Hans.
DEFENDER #1
Good game, white boy. Stick
around, I want you on my team.
HANS
Haha, thank you. I am glad to be
here.
There is the sound of a cellphone.
Hans runs to the sideline and picks up his cellphone. The
display reads, "Marty."
PRIEST
Yo, Hans, we got another game.
Hans looks towards Priest and pauses.
Hans pushes a button on his cellphone. The sound of the
cellphone disappears.
Hans tosses the cellphone aside and jogs onto the court.
EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Hans catches a pass as players run about.
Hans fakes a shot, causing the defender to jump.
Hans dribbles around the defender and towards the basket.
The defenders swarm towards Hans.
Defenders jump towards Hans.
Hans jumps into a defender. Hans bounces off the defender
and floats in the air.
Hans shoots the ball and banks it into the basket.
Priest walks up to Hans and raises his forearm.
Hans pauses for a second.
Hans raises his forearm. Priest bumps forearms with Hans and
smiles.
PRIEST
There we go.
Priest and Jamal jog down the court. Priest and Jamal nod to
one another.
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Hans leans against the wall with his hands on his knees.
Jamal and other players exit The Cage.
Priest walks up to Hans.
PRIEST
They really teach you how to play
over in Germany.
HANS
Yes, but I came here to pursue a
dream.
PRIEST
Dreams are nice, but I'll take some
real ball. You game for some real
competition?
Hans looks up with an exhausted look.
PRIEST
Haha, not now, Saturday. There's a
big tournament up at Rucker. With
you on my team, we could win the
whole thing.
HANS
I don't know...
PRIEST
Come on, you do this and the whole
town will respect you.
Hans' eyes light up.
HANS
Ok, then, I'll be there.
PRIEST
That's what I like to hear.
Priest moves toward the gate.
PRIEST
Bring your A-game. Those guys at
Rucker can play.
Hans stands up and smiles.
Hans notices his cell phone on the ground out of the corner
of his eye.
Hans picks up his cell phone. It reads, "5 new messages."
Hans holds his cellphone to his ear and strolls down the
street.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
First new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hey, Hans - baby, call me back.
Hans walks past a poster featuring a man rolling his eyes.
There is a beep.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
Second new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hey, Hans, you need to call me.
There is a beep.
Hans walks past a poster advertising a horror movie, with a
frightened face.
CELLPHONE VOICE (V.O.)
(muffled)
Third new message.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, seriously, you're going to
lose some good work if you don't
call me. Now think about it. What
do you really want to be doing?
Hans stops next to a poster advertising, "Zoo Party." Hans
turns and sees a poster advertising basketball shoes.
EXT. RUCKER PARK - DAY
Hans, wearing sunglasses, walks up to Priest outside the
park.
HANS
So, what is this little tournament?
PRIEST
Little?
Priest leads Hans into the park.
The area is filled with people, some dressed to play ball,
many just there to watch. Players run about on the court. A
banner reads, "Goat Classic 3 on 3 Streetball."
Priest points.
PRIEST
Welcome to Rucker.
Hans looks around in awe.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Playaz - Hans - Act 1
CAST LIST
Bones (19) - skinny, 6 foot black kid from the streets.
Pablo (17) - fat, 6-2 hispanic kid
Priest (35) - hulking 6-10 black police officer
Jerry (23) - 5-10 chinese guy with a goatee
Cheryl (31) - 6-0 black lady who's a lawyer by day.
Hans (25) - 6-8 German man who dresses stylish
Bunyan (18) - 7-2 with wild red hair and dressed from the
70s.
Skittles (9) - shy brunette girl who watches excitedly.
The Three Old Men
- Sal (70s) - white haired and wrinkly.
- Larry (70s) - balding black grandpa with glasses
- Russell (70s) - tall, thin with a white mustache
DJ (26) - short fellow with a loud voice
Al (60) - a homeless man
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Lights illuminate the small court surrounded by chain link
fences. Hans walks up to the gate. Priest and others play
on the court.
HANS
Who has next?
PLAYER (O.S.)
Hey, white boy, can you shoot.
PRIEST
No, white boy can play.
Hans and Priest nod to one another.
Al sits on the sidewalk across the street. Hans enters the
game and dribbles the ball.
AL (V.O.)
Respect is a funny thing. Everyone
wants it, but the road to respect
can be pretty humiliating.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE - DAY
Title Card: One year ago
The soundstage is decorated for a children's TV show, with
painted flowers and pastels. Children sit in front of the
stage. A banner reads, "Zoo Party!"
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Say hi to Harry the Hippo!
The room fills with cheers as a tall man in a giant blue
hippo costume jumps onto stage.
The hippo dances awkwardly.
HANS (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hello, children. How are you
today?
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Kids, why don't you go give Harry a
hug.
The kids run onto stage.
The kids grab Harry the Hippo and jump around him.
KIDS
Harry! Harry!
HANS (V.O.)
(muffled)
Whoa, there children.
The kids knock Harry the Hippo off his feet.
The kids dogpile Harry the Hippo.
HANS (V.O.)
Ooofff.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE - LATER
Harry the Hippo slouches on the stage as people clear off the
stage behind him. MARTY (45), a slick wheeler-dealer, walks
up to Harry the Hippo.
MARTY
What'd I tell you, buddy, they
loved you out there.
Harry the Hippo pulls off his head, revealing a worn-looking
Hans.
MARTY
Whoa, looking a little worn there,
buddy. But, don't worry about it.
I got you booked all next week at
this gig.
HANS
There is not anything where I can
just be me?
MARTY
Well, I'm keeping on top of things,
but let me level with you. The
market for goofy German giants
isn't exactly the best in this
town.
Hans stands up.
HANS
Then you will have to do better,
because I quit.
MARTY
Whoa, whoa, don't walk. This is a
good gig.
Hans tosses the head of Harry the Hippo to the side and walks
away.
MARTY
Hey, how're you going to pay your
bills, huh?
HANS
I have ways.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Hans, dressed in a goofy tux, stand next to a table filled
with customers. The restaurant is full of customers.
HANS
And our specials tonight are salmon
with a sesame vinaigrette as well
as an excellent bouillabaisse.
CUSTOMER #1
Hey, that's a cool accent.
HANS
Yes, I'm from Germany.
CUSTOMER #1
Oh cool, say,
(bad german accent)
I'll be back.
HANS
I don't sound anything like that.
And he's not even German.
CUSTOMER #1
Come on say it.
(bad german accent)
I'll be back.
Hans frowns.
HANS
I'll be back.
CUSTOMER #1
Hmm, it's cooler in the movies.
Hans slumps forward.
EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Hans, dressed in the goofy tuxedo, exits the restaurant.
Hans slumps down the street. There is the sound of a
cellphone ring.
Hans takes out his cellphone.
HANS
Hello.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, baby, the Zoo Party people
offered some more money. You'd be
stupid to say no.
HANS
I do not see Tom Hanks doing Zoo
Party.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Heh, hate to say it but you don't
exactly have the leading man...
looks.
Hans turns and looks at his reflection in a window.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
But, hey, there's always a place
for everyone in this town.
Hans hangs up his phone.
Hans examines his reflection and frowns.
Hans slumps his shoulders.
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Hans, wearing the goofy tux, walks near the cage. Several
players play basketball inside the Cage.
JAMAL (18), long and athletic, dribbles the ball.
Jamal passes between a defender's legs.
JAMAL
Yeah! Knock it down!
A player takes a shot, bricking it badly.
The ball bounces over the fence.
The ball rolls to Hans, who stands outside the cage.
Hans picks up the ball.
PLAYER #1
Yo, white boy. A little help?
Hans turns towards the Cage.
Hans looks at the basket on the opposite side of the court.
PLAYERS
Hey, what are you doing? Man, give
us the ball.
Hans takes a jump shot, displaying perfect form.
The ball arcs over the fence.
The players track the ball.
The ball swishes through the basket.
PLAYERS
Whoa! That was a shot!
Hans continues walking past the Cage.
PRIEST (O.S.)
Yo, hold up.
Hans stops and turns around to see Priest standing outside
the Cage.
PRIEST
Nice shot. Come play a game or
two. I got next.
HANS
No, thank you. That is all right.
Hans slumps away.
PRIEST
Ok, next time. I know talent when
I see it, and you've got a little.
Hans stops and smiles a little.
Hans turns back to Priest.
HANS
Thank you.
PRIEST
No problem. Hey, I didn't catch
your name.
HANS
Hans. Hans Schmidtanhoffer.
PRIEST
I'm Priest. Come back and we'll
play some ball.
Hans nods and walks away.
Priest enters the Cage through a gate.
PLAYER #1
Who was that white boy?
PRIEST
His name's Hans something or
another.
Bones (19) - skinny, 6 foot black kid from the streets.
Pablo (17) - fat, 6-2 hispanic kid
Priest (35) - hulking 6-10 black police officer
Jerry (23) - 5-10 chinese guy with a goatee
Cheryl (31) - 6-0 black lady who's a lawyer by day.
Hans (25) - 6-8 German man who dresses stylish
Bunyan (18) - 7-2 with wild red hair and dressed from the
70s.
Skittles (9) - shy brunette girl who watches excitedly.
The Three Old Men
- Sal (70s) - white haired and wrinkly.
- Larry (70s) - balding black grandpa with glasses
- Russell (70s) - tall, thin with a white mustache
DJ (26) - short fellow with a loud voice
Al (60) - a homeless man
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Lights illuminate the small court surrounded by chain link
fences. Hans walks up to the gate. Priest and others play
on the court.
HANS
Who has next?
PLAYER (O.S.)
Hey, white boy, can you shoot.
PRIEST
No, white boy can play.
Hans and Priest nod to one another.
Al sits on the sidewalk across the street. Hans enters the
game and dribbles the ball.
AL (V.O.)
Respect is a funny thing. Everyone
wants it, but the road to respect
can be pretty humiliating.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE - DAY
Title Card: One year ago
The soundstage is decorated for a children's TV show, with
painted flowers and pastels. Children sit in front of the
stage. A banner reads, "Zoo Party!"
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Say hi to Harry the Hippo!
The room fills with cheers as a tall man in a giant blue
hippo costume jumps onto stage.
The hippo dances awkwardly.
HANS (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hello, children. How are you
today?
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Kids, why don't you go give Harry a
hug.
The kids run onto stage.
The kids grab Harry the Hippo and jump around him.
KIDS
Harry! Harry!
HANS (V.O.)
(muffled)
Whoa, there children.
The kids knock Harry the Hippo off his feet.
The kids dogpile Harry the Hippo.
HANS (V.O.)
Ooofff.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE - LATER
Harry the Hippo slouches on the stage as people clear off the
stage behind him. MARTY (45), a slick wheeler-dealer, walks
up to Harry the Hippo.
MARTY
What'd I tell you, buddy, they
loved you out there.
Harry the Hippo pulls off his head, revealing a worn-looking
Hans.
MARTY
Whoa, looking a little worn there,
buddy. But, don't worry about it.
I got you booked all next week at
this gig.
HANS
There is not anything where I can
just be me?
MARTY
Well, I'm keeping on top of things,
but let me level with you. The
market for goofy German giants
isn't exactly the best in this
town.
Hans stands up.
HANS
Then you will have to do better,
because I quit.
MARTY
Whoa, whoa, don't walk. This is a
good gig.
Hans tosses the head of Harry the Hippo to the side and walks
away.
MARTY
Hey, how're you going to pay your
bills, huh?
HANS
I have ways.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Hans, dressed in a goofy tux, stand next to a table filled
with customers. The restaurant is full of customers.
HANS
And our specials tonight are salmon
with a sesame vinaigrette as well
as an excellent bouillabaisse.
CUSTOMER #1
Hey, that's a cool accent.
HANS
Yes, I'm from Germany.
CUSTOMER #1
Oh cool, say,
(bad german accent)
I'll be back.
HANS
I don't sound anything like that.
And he's not even German.
CUSTOMER #1
Come on say it.
(bad german accent)
I'll be back.
Hans frowns.
HANS
I'll be back.
CUSTOMER #1
Hmm, it's cooler in the movies.
Hans slumps forward.
EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Hans, dressed in the goofy tuxedo, exits the restaurant.
Hans slumps down the street. There is the sound of a
cellphone ring.
Hans takes out his cellphone.
HANS
Hello.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Hans, baby, the Zoo Party people
offered some more money. You'd be
stupid to say no.
HANS
I do not see Tom Hanks doing Zoo
Party.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
Heh, hate to say it but you don't
exactly have the leading man...
looks.
Hans turns and looks at his reflection in a window.
MARTY (V.O.)
(muffled)
But, hey, there's always a place
for everyone in this town.
Hans hangs up his phone.
Hans examines his reflection and frowns.
Hans slumps his shoulders.
EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
Hans, wearing the goofy tux, walks near the cage. Several
players play basketball inside the Cage.
JAMAL (18), long and athletic, dribbles the ball.
Jamal passes between a defender's legs.
JAMAL
Yeah! Knock it down!
A player takes a shot, bricking it badly.
The ball bounces over the fence.
The ball rolls to Hans, who stands outside the cage.
Hans picks up the ball.
PLAYER #1
Yo, white boy. A little help?
Hans turns towards the Cage.
Hans looks at the basket on the opposite side of the court.
PLAYERS
Hey, what are you doing? Man, give
us the ball.
Hans takes a jump shot, displaying perfect form.
The ball arcs over the fence.
The players track the ball.
The ball swishes through the basket.
PLAYERS
Whoa! That was a shot!
Hans continues walking past the Cage.
PRIEST (O.S.)
Yo, hold up.
Hans stops and turns around to see Priest standing outside
the Cage.
PRIEST
Nice shot. Come play a game or
two. I got next.
HANS
No, thank you. That is all right.
Hans slumps away.
PRIEST
Ok, next time. I know talent when
I see it, and you've got a little.
Hans stops and smiles a little.
Hans turns back to Priest.
HANS
Thank you.
PRIEST
No problem. Hey, I didn't catch
your name.
HANS
Hans. Hans Schmidtanhoffer.
PRIEST
I'm Priest. Come back and we'll
play some ball.
Hans nods and walks away.
Priest enters the Cage through a gate.
PLAYER #1
Who was that white boy?
PRIEST
His name's Hans something or
another.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
